Ganawendaasowin Family Services
BACKGROUND
“Ganawendaasowin” is beautiful and meaningful name created by the Mitaanjigamiing First Nations Elders. It embodies the concept of nurturing and safeguarding children temporarily, with the ultimate goal of returning them home when it is safe to do so. This name reflects the profound respect for the well-being and cultural integrity of children within Indigenous communities, emphasizing the importance of both care and eventual reunification with their families and communities.
VALUES
The Ganawendaasowin team upholds the importance of human relationships, service, social justice, dignity, and worth of every person. Integrity and competence are our core values, guiding our work and interactions with our clients and community.
GOALS
The Ganawendaasowin team aims to provide community wellness, awareness, and healing. We are committed to keeping families together, protecting children and youth, and facilitating reunification. Our dedication encompasses prevention and intervention, offering vital support and resources to navigate challenges and rebuild familial bonds. The team embodies resilience and compassion, paving the way for a brighter future.
WHO WE SERVICE
The Ganawendaasowin Prevention Program services MFN Band Members with children under the age of 18, caregivers who hove MFN children in their homes, and post-majority youth.
BRIEF SERVICES
PURPOSE
To provide brief service assistance to MFN families to prevent child welfare intervention. These services include but are not limited to:
- Grocery cards
- Medical costs or prescriptions that are not covered by the FNIHB rates and MFN rates
- Emergency accommodations up to 5 days
- Hydro assistance once per year – not exceeding $500
Items not covered by Brief Services:
- Loans
- Car repairs
- Telephone/internet/satellite bills
- Rent
- Airfare
- Home repairs
- Furniture
- Legal fees
HOW WE HELP
The Preservation Program helps families with a range of challenges including:
- Advocacy
- Life crisis
- Parent/child conflict
- Single parenting Issues
- Family violence
- Poverty
- Court involvement
- Stress
- Household items
- Transportation services
- Cultural services
- Physical and mental illness
- Trauma, and more
PROGRAMS & SERVICES
- Coordination with other community services
- Counselling for individuals. couples, and families
- Group sessions to develop parenting, life skills and more
- Homemaking services
- Mediation
- One to one support for children and youth
- Mentoring programs for children, youth and parents
- Family programming
- Cooking classes and more
ABOUT PRESERVATION
The Ganawendaasowin Preservation Program aims to keep families together and reduce the number or families and children in the child welfare system. The program assists families who are at risk of becoming protection clients, providing support and guidance to ensure all MFN families are healthy and happy.
SUPPORT PLANS
The Ganawendaasowin Prevention Program maintains family files on every family on and off reserve, that have children under the age of 18. There are two support plans that are utilized in the program–voluntary and non-voluntary. The voluntary files are made to keep statistics on programs and needs while non-voluntary files are meant to keep families out of protection related interference.
RESPITE
The Ganawendaasowin Program covers costs for respite services to all clients who request It.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Submitting a request via email to the preservation worker 5 business days prior
- Providing your own sitter
Rates:
- Children – $75 per day
- High Needs Children – $85 per day